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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
CHARLES T. BOWEN, druggist, established his business at New Sharon in 1877. He was born in Sharon, Pa., April 15, 1855, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Hopkins) Bowen, who were natives of Wales, and came to this country about 1839, settling at Sharon, Pa., where they resided until 1865, and then came to Iowa, locating at Beacon, in this county, and engaged in mining. The father died there in 1867, and the mother in July, 1877. There were fourteen children in the family, seven of whom are living: Ann is the wife of Stephen Fellows, and resides in Van Buren County, Iowa; John W. lives at Lincoln, Neb.; Charles T. is the subject of this sketch; Mary is the wife of Thomas Jenkins, and lives in this county; Eddie lives at New Sharon; Winnie is the wife of Ed Marriott, and resides in Van Buren County; Lizzie is the wife of James Campbell, and lives at Deep River, Poweshiek Co., Iowa, The subject of this sketch, Charles T. Bowen, grew to manhood at Beacon, and followed the occupation of mining there and at other places until 1868, when he entered a general store at Beacon as clerk, and served nearly three years. He had never attended school up to that time, and when he began clerking could neither read nor write, but he applied himself closely, and at the expiration of six months could do both quite well, and his salary was advanced to $45 per month. Retiring from that store he resumed work in the mines until 1872, when he was engaged as clerk in a drug-store at Beacon, and afterward in the same business at Muchachinock. In 1877 he came to New Sharon, and established his present business. Having but little capital, he began business on a very limited scale, but proving himself a live business man, and one who understood the details thoroughly, his business increased rapidly, and in a few years he was doing a leading drug business of the town, which he continues at the present time, and carries a large and, well-selected stock of goods. Mr. Dowen was married, April 30, 1879, to Miss Jennie C. Wood, daughter of J. M. and Margerett Wood, and by this union there are two children, Gracie and Jennie. From a small beginning Mr. Bonn has made a large success financially, and this too in the face of difficulties which would have discouraged most men. His education has been entirely the result of untiring study on his part after reaching the age of manhood. He has developed a fine business capacity, and understands the art of making money, as well as saving it. He is the owner of a pleasant home in New Sharon, and also of a section of land in Davidson County, Dak.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy